WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Hartford Department of Athletics has signed Justin Blood to a contract extension that will keep him as the head coach of the Hawks’ baseball team through the 2024 season, Director of Athletics Mary Ellen Gillespie announce on Wednesday.
“We are thrilled that Justin will continue to lead the young men in our baseball program here at Hartford”, commented Gillespie. “He and his staff recruit and develop student-athletes who represent our institution well and we look forward to competing for more championships and graduating highly successful young men.”
In eight years at the helm, Blood has the led the Hawks to 193 wins, the most by any coach in the program’s 61-year history. In addition, Blood led Hartford to its first ever America East Regular Season and Tournament Championship and the team’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament, in 2018.
“I’m excited to continue leading this program, said Blood. “I’ve developed great relationships with the University of Hartford community, our alumni and local supporters. We have built a great foundation here and I believe even greater heights can be achieved in the foreseeable future.”
Hartford’ student athletes have excelled under Blood, as six players earned America East All-Conference honors this past season. Junior Zachary Ardito highlighted the honorees, earning First Team All-Conference laurels. During his career, Blood has coached 63 All-Conference selections, including 15 First Team, 16 Second Team and 10 All-Rookie.
In addition, Blood has coached eight Major League Baseball Draft, including Sean Newcomb who was the 15th overall pick in 2014 by Los Angeles Angels.
2018 was a historical season for the Hawks, as the team finished the year with the programs first ever America East Regular Season and Tournament Championship and made its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Blood earned America East Coach of the Year honors, leading a sweep of the four major conference awards. Freshman Nicholas Dombkowski became the first player in America East history to win both Rookie and Pitcher of the Year in the same season.
Blood also emphasizes the importance of academics within his program, evidenced by the 21 America East All-Academic honors the Hawks have earned since 2012. Exemplifying Blood’s commitment to athletics and academics, first baseman David MacKinnon was named America East Player of the Year, America East Male Athlete of the Year and America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2016.
Blood came to Hartford after spending six seasons at UConn as the Huskies’ pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. He helped lead UConn to its most successful season in program history, which included a BIG EAST regular season championship and the first trip to the NCAA Super Regional’s. UConn ended the 2011 season with a 45-20-1 overall record and a 22-5 mark in BIG EAST play.
Blood played three years for Franklin Pierce before being drafted. He ranks among career leaders at the college with 235 strikeouts (sixth), in 204.2 innings (ninth) and with 12 complete games (fifth). In 2001, he struck out a program-record 20 New Hampshire College batters, which still ranks sixth in NCAA Division II single-game history.
Blood and his wife, Hannah, currently reside in Vernon, Conn., with their son, Jackson Everett, and their daughter, Harper McKenna.
